Psychologists' Knowledge and Skills Are Contributing to The Integrated Health Care of Older Adults

Psychologists have for decades been making major contributions on integrated teams that treat older adults. Psychologists have knowledge and training in normal developmental processes in adulthood and aging. Psychologists also have culturally specific expertise in the assessment and treatment of mental and behavioral health problems facing older adults. Psychologists are:

Experts in Dementia - Psychologists clearly play important roles in the detection and assessment of dementia, in the behavioral and non-pharmacological interventions for problems associated with dementia, and in the non-pharmacological interventions and strategies offered to informal caregivers.

Experts in Developing Setting-Specific Plans - Psychologists are able to select interventions that can be implemented most effectively in the specific care setting and recommend adaptations that make older adults safer in their pursuit to preserve their independence.

Experts in Prevention - Psychologists are knowledgeable about primary (actions taken to prevent a disorder or injury from occurring) and secondary (identifying and treating a disorder early in its course) prevention and health promotion and are able to apply these skills when appropriate.